Initially popularized the in the U.S. in the 1960's and 70's, hookah smoking is becoming progressively popular ever since the turn of the century. To put it simply, a hookah bar is a commercial establishment where patrons share shisha tobacco by using a smoking device referred to as a "hookah". These bars are usually found in urban settings and often near college campuses and universities as well.
A Look at The History
Hookah and the idea of hookah bars originated 500 years ago in the subcontinent close to where currently is the border of India and Pakistan. These bars are chiefly linked to the middle east as it was the origin of hookah and the region from where hookah gained a lot of popularity. Hookah bars became popular in the Middle East as the places where customers used to socialize and smoke hookah with friends.
Features of Hookah Bars
In the more cultural areas, the lounges often appear like their roots more closely, often operated by people of Arab ancestry, furnished and decorated with a Middle Eastern or Indian motif. A few are simple, and may not serve extra items. But some multifunctional bars offer snacks, coffee and soft drinks too. Typical neighborhood lounges usually do not have liquor licenses and therefore do not derive profit from alcohol. The larger bars, however, have a liquor license and they serve a number of cocktails along with wine and beer. It is not uncommon to see belly dancers, live bands, or DJs in the more upscale urban hookah bars as they look like a "night club" more closely than a neighborhood social establishment.
Hookah bars that are near institutions are more casual and draw in a lot of students. Hookah is believed to be less dangerous than smoking cigarettes, cigars or other things and therefore hookahs are gaining a lot of popularity. Also, as college years are generally a time of new experiences, frequent social interaction, and building strong connections, the hookah lounge lends itself well to college life. The cities which are popular for having several secondary education institutions in the U.S. have noticed a great increase in the popularity of hookah bars.
So What is A Hookah
Now that you know what a hookah bar is, you may be thinking about the device that has been able to spread across the globe and spark a smoking revolution. Legend has it the hookah was first made in 1588 by a Persian physician in the Indian court. When it was invented, it was given the name of "huqqa". The term hookah comes from the very same Indian word "huqqa".
Whilst the primitive hookah looked considerably different, probably made out of coconut shells, the result has always been the same: purify and cool the smoke by passing it through water before inhalation. The structure of the hookah has 4 main components:
1. Bowl - the tobacco is placed here.
2. Body - the smoke leaves the body and reaches the water basin.
3. Water Basin - keeps the water, where smoke is passed through to be cooled and purified. Purified smoke remains in the chamber above the water until it is inhaled through the hose.
4. Hose - the smoker puffs on the hose to inhale smoke from the chamber where it is kept after purification. Ordinarily a hose is around one to two meters long.
Thick, cool and fragrant smoke comes out of the hookah.
A senior customer of a prominent hookah business in turkey said:
"The thing isn't what you put in the pipe, but who is along with you when you're smoking. It's a whole experience. All kinds of people, old, young and fascinating come to bars such as this one. All what people really need to come to a hookah bar is a heart to socialize, meet and spend some time in the company of close friends."
A Look at The History
Hookah and the idea of hookah bars originated 500 years ago in the subcontinent close to where currently is the border of India and Pakistan. These bars are chiefly linked to the middle east as it was the origin of hookah and the region from where hookah gained a lot of popularity. Hookah bars became popular in the Middle East as the places where customers used to socialize and smoke hookah with friends.
Features of Hookah Bars
In the more cultural areas, the lounges often appear like their roots more closely, often operated by people of Arab ancestry, furnished and decorated with a Middle Eastern or Indian motif. A few are simple, and may not serve extra items. But some multifunctional bars offer snacks, coffee and soft drinks too. Typical neighborhood lounges usually do not have liquor licenses and therefore do not derive profit from alcohol. The larger bars, however, have a liquor license and they serve a number of cocktails along with wine and beer. It is not uncommon to see belly dancers, live bands, or DJs in the more upscale urban hookah bars as they look like a "night club" more closely than a neighborhood social establishment.
Hookah bars that are near institutions are more casual and draw in a lot of students. Hookah is believed to be less dangerous than smoking cigarettes, cigars or other things and therefore hookahs are gaining a lot of popularity. Also, as college years are generally a time of new experiences, frequent social interaction, and building strong connections, the hookah lounge lends itself well to college life. The cities which are popular for having several secondary education institutions in the U.S. have noticed a great increase in the popularity of hookah bars.
So What is A Hookah
Now that you know what a hookah bar is, you may be thinking about the device that has been able to spread across the globe and spark a smoking revolution. Legend has it the hookah was first made in 1588 by a Persian physician in the Indian court. When it was invented, it was given the name of "huqqa". The term hookah comes from the very same Indian word "huqqa".
Whilst the primitive hookah looked considerably different, probably made out of coconut shells, the result has always been the same: purify and cool the smoke by passing it through water before inhalation. The structure of the hookah has 4 main components:
1. Bowl - the tobacco is placed here.
2. Body - the smoke leaves the body and reaches the water basin.
3. Water Basin - keeps the water, where smoke is passed through to be cooled and purified. Purified smoke remains in the chamber above the water until it is inhaled through the hose.
4. Hose - the smoker puffs on the hose to inhale smoke from the chamber where it is kept after purification. Ordinarily a hose is around one to two meters long.
Thick, cool and fragrant smoke comes out of the hookah.
A senior customer of a prominent hookah business in turkey said:
"The thing isn't what you put in the pipe, but who is along with you when you're smoking. It's a whole experience. All kinds of people, old, young and fascinating come to bars such as this one. All what people really need to come to a hookah bar is a heart to socialize, meet and spend some time in the company of close friends."
About the Author:
The trend of hookah bars is increasing rapidly in the U.S. More and more people are becoming accustomed to the hookah culture. You should also go and checkout a hookah lounge in your neighborhood.
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